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Quique Sanchez Flores refuses to comment on Stoke link

Espanyol manager giving no clues as to his future; Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill also under consideration by Stoke

Last Updated: 12/01/18 1:39pm

Espanyol head coach Quique Sanchez Flores was tight-lipped after qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey

Quique Sanchez Flores has refused to comment on reports linking him with the Stoke job.

Flores was asked about whether he had an offer to return to the Premier League after his Espanyol side reached the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.

Espanyol overturned a first-leg deficit against Levante to progress to the competition's last eight.

Flores said: "I'm not going to talk about me on such an important day for Espanyol. It's a day for Espanyol, for the club, for the players, it's a day to celebrate for having qualified for the quarters.

"I don't want to talk about me, but to enjoy these moments. I want to continue being happy with my profession."

Balague said a five-year proposal from Stoke would tempt Flores after a tenure of broken promises at Espanyol.

The 52-year-old alluded to that in his post-match press conference but did not indicate he wanted to leave the club.

He added: "I'm very grateful to Espanyol, I've been frustrated sometimes because we haven't advanced as fast as desired, but that's because Espanyol haven't been able to, not because they haven't wanted to.

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill is also being considered for the Stoke job

"Right now we're not thinking about anything other than today's game and Sunday's match against Athletic [Bilbao]."

It is also understood that Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill is under consideration for the manager's job at the bet365 Stadium.

Charlie Adam says the Stoke players have not been good enough this season

Charlie Adam says the Stoke players have not been good enough this season

O'Neill and his coaching team, which features Roy Keane, agreed contract extensions with the Football Association of Ireland last October.

But the 65-year-old said after the Republic lost their World Cup qualifying play-off the following month that he would need to have "a real think" about his future, and still nothing has been signed.